thenearshore | (closed)

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Who: Minako and Edge
When: April 27nd
Where: The Near Shore
What: Prayer #86: a prayer for responsibility

[ It's no secret that Minako doesn't do too well with kids. If anything, it's almost ironic that for some reason she seems to end up with a prayer related to children in some form every single time she tries her hand at trying to fulfill one. But if she's nervous about it at all, she sure doesn't show it - and she took precautionary measures anyway! She brought along someone who's responsible!

.. Semi-responsible, anyway! Edge passes the bar easily in Minako's book, let's just put it that way.

The prayer was vague enough that she wasn't sure what to expect, but the task seems more simple than indicated. The kid - a young boy - only started middle school earlier this month, and has been tasked today with getting to school on time by himself for the first time. And what's the worst that could happen to a kid on their way to school? Minako ~~is still~~ has been a kid! She's gone to school by herself dozens of times! She's jumped over cars when almost getting hit by them! Totally normal and doable.

It's why she smiles at Edge as they walk a few steps behind the kid as said child is starting on his way to school. Generally going unnoticed as a shinki sure is useful in these cases, because she'd go nuts if she had to be quiet the whole time. ]

It seems we sure got an easy one this time, huh? What's the worst that could happen!

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Well, I was definitely never afraid. Or nervous!

[ And also pretty cute, but she'd linger on that compliment longer if she wasn't trying to make a point here. Still, no matter how much she might be arguing the kid they're helping out is a total weenie, she's still dutifully following said kid as he crosses the street. ]

I know that much even without any memories.

I know that too. [Well, okay, he doesn't know it for sure, but he's prepared to believe that about Minako. All her fears are about things other than traffic lights!]

[Speaking of which, that's one more disaster navigated. The school can't be too much farther, right...?]

[ Indeed, the school isn't far away at all anymore! They manage to walk after the child for a little bit without anything special occuring, and then a building that obviously seems like a school appears in the distance. Maybe they can pull off the last part without a hitch!

.. Except for the part that once they're getting closer to the school, there's a bunch of boys standing there on the sidewalk that obviously look like a bunch of bullies. And they're already eyeing the child! ]

Hey, what are they looking at?! [ Yes, she's still ready to fight after those traffic lights. ]

I recognize their sort. [Edge scowls fiercely, hand dropping reflexively to the hilt of his blade. Not that he intends to actually go sword them -- or let Minako beat them up either.] It's too bad they can't see us or you could distract them...

[ Why can't violence just be the easy answer, Edge. :( There's no problem in her life that giving someone a kick in the butt hasn't solved!

.. Okay, maybe there's a few problems. But that's besides the point! ]

Then we'll just have to make something that they can see distract them, right?

[ Not that she has an idea right away when she says it. It just seems like the obvious solution. She tries looking around for something nearby, and then she points at the grass behind the bullies. ]

Oh, look! They have one of those sprinkler systems! [ Totally not considering whether Edge even knows what those are.. Ye Olde Ninja Worlds don't exactly sound like they'd have super modern lawn care. ]

[If only all problems could be kicked in the butt!]

Right! Great idea! What does it sprinkle?

[Rough crash back to reality there, Minako.]

What does it..

[ Minako repeats the first words back at him, staring at Edge like he suddenly grew an extra head on his shoulders. ]

Water! Water, of course! [ It's not a free drinks dispenser, Edge! ] Don't you think they'd be distracted enough if they got all wet all of a sudden?

I thought sprinkles were what came on ice cream. [He muses this to himself for a moment, just one more reminder that the pair of them come from very different places, then shrugs slightly and turns back to business at hand.] Absolutely! You can't menace someone when you're soaked!

[ Right! Getting back to business is the important part! ]

Then all we have to go is get them running somehow..

[ And there's not really any time to sneak into the building and turn them on. Especially without knowing where the control panel or whatever they use for it is. ]

Maybe if we cut the cord leading up to it, the water will have no choice but to come out! [ Ruining property in the process of a mission is a-okay, alright. For the greater good and all that. ]

[Considering he once burned down a warehouse to answer a prayer, yeah, he's good with that.]

This is your specialty! [Well, inasmuch as she understands things like cords and sprinklers and various elements of modern Near Shore life that Edge doesn't get.] I'll keep those brats in position till you get them soaked!

[ Minako grins rather proudly at him saying it's her specialty. Which is slightly more unsettling when you realise she didn't understand the "modern stuff" implication as much as the "general wanton destruction" angle she's reading into it. ]

Alright! I'll give you a sign so you won't get soaked as well.

[ Or.. well.. ]

Er.. Soaked again.

[ He's just started to dry up! ]

[He really needs to keep her away from Saber.]

All right, but don't worry about me! I've already sacrificed once for the cause, I'll do again!

[With a thumbs-up, he parts from her to go... stand in front of the bullies. They can't see him, but some hindbrain instinct tells them he's there, they can't walk forward. Their confusion at the war of instinct and sadism has them pausing, long enough to buy some time.]

[ Thankfully some time is all Minako needs. No way is she going for the way that will damage less, but take more time - they don't have time! This incredibly incompetent kid needs to get to school, and he needs to get there fast.

All she has to do is quickly transform, cast a glance in the direction of the bullies and their surroundings in general for a moment to make sure no one is looking in this direction so they won't see the light show that's about to happen, and then-- ]

Crescent Beam!

[ -- she shoots a beam of light straight at the sprinklers' cord, severing it completely and making water burst out of the sprinklers.

The effect is a little (more than just a little) stronger than intended though, so it really is just completely soaking the bullies. She lets out a gasp when she realises that's where Edge was standing too, so Minako quickly looks over. ]

Edge, are you okay?!

[ She didn't double soak you just now, did she. ]

[Luckily for them both, yelling 'Crescent Beam!' isn't subtle. As soon as he heard that, Edge had bolted for cover, leaving the bullies alone to get soaked to the bone!]

[From his safe spot on the other side of a parked car, he lifts a fist in victory. Their charge, never known how close he came to vicious mocking and lunch money loss, speeds up slightly at the sight of his school. Looks like he's going to make it!]

[ Minako visibly lets out a sigh of relief before she starts smiling too. Looks like she at least did this one right. Especially since the kid is now so close to school - there's no way something else could still pop up in the way to keep him from jogging that last bit, right?

So she takes her eyes off the child for a moment, instead quickly running up to where Edge was taking cover next to the car. ]

We did it, right?

[How much more could there possibly be? Edge straightens up fully, shielding his eyes against the morning sun to monitor his progress.]

I think we did.

[And he can't help but feel a little bit of pride at that, let it slip into his voice. Despite everything they had going for them -- shinki powers and ninja skills and light beams and incredible good looks on both their parts -- this had been a real hassle.]

As if there was ever any doubt!

[ As the pride slips into Edge's voice, Minako starts beaming it as well. A huge smile appears on her face, even though she doesn't feel nearly as confident about this whole deal as he seems. Minako worries about her performance in anything ever, after all, and especially as a shinki.

But Edge seems to have enough faith in her - for whatever reason. And that's enough for her now, making her smile very, very genuine. ]

Because we're a dream team!

[Because she's earned it. That's why he has faith in her. She may not see it or understand it, but she's earned it.]

You bet we are! Lava or middle school, nothing can stand up to us!

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